Guide Dogs Australia

With the Paralympic Games only a couple of days away, we’re giving a shout out to the many Guide Dogs Clients who have achieved their goal of competing at the Paralympic Games since they began in 1960, featuring 400 athletes from 23 countries. This year, more than 4,400 athletes will compete. A big shoutout to those working towards gold this year including Alexandra Viney, and to those aiming for LA in 2028 like Lucy Coates. Guide Dog Mickey is by her side every step of the way in her preparations for LA. Thanks to our incredible partnership with Boehringer Ingelheim, Guide Dogs such as Mickey are able to continue supporting their Handlers to go for gold. #GuideDogsAustralia #ParalympicGames [Video Description: The following video shows Lucy, a young woman and Guide Dog Handler with her brown horse Ruby, and her Guide Dog Mickey, a black labrador. Throughout the video, footage of Lucy speaking to the camera is intercut with footage showing Lucy and Mickey together in Lucy’s living room at home, walking in a park, crossing a pedestrian crossing, and sitting in the front passenger seat of a moving car; plus footage showing Lucy with her horse Ruby in a stable, and of Lucy riding Ruby in an indoor equestrian arena.]

To celebrate International Dog Day, we took Gulliver, our 4.3-metre-tall yellow Labrador mascot, off leash at Bondi Beach and introduced him to fellow four-legged companions and their humans! Joining our team and Gulliver were Guide Dogs in training Vita and Pipa and their Handlers, who were more than happy to answer questions from the public all about their training and journeys so far. To all our Guide Dogs, Guide Dogs in training, Retired Guide Dogs, Therapy Dogs, Canine Court Companion Dogs, Breeding Dogs, Facility Dogs, and of course our Pet Dogs, we hope you enjoyed the day being all about you! Although let’s face it, most days usually are. [Image description one: A Guide Dogs NSW/ACT team member stands in front of Gulliver holding two cookies with the Guide Dogs logo on them. The team member smiles and stares at the camera.] [Image description two: Gulliver, a 4.3 metre yellow Labrador Guide Dog statue, stands in Bondi Park with Bondi beach in the background.] [Image description three: Yellow Guide Dog in training Vita sits in their orange coat. They are looking to the right of the camera.] [Image description four: A Guide Dogs NSW/ACT team member stands in front of Gulliver, holding yellow Guide Dog in training Vita by their lead. The Guide Dogs team member smiles at the camera.] #GuideDogsAustralia #IDD24 #InternationalDogDay

Today we welcome our new dog food partner Black Hawk 🐾 Known for its all-natural, Australian-made pet food and famous German Shepherd seen on pack. Our ‘all Labrador’ team of Guide Dogs in training will now be proudly raised on Black Hawk. #GuideDogsAustralia #BlackHawk [Video Description: This video shows various clips of a Guide Dog in training with a German Shepherd puppy, running and playing around in a rural setting while being rewarded with kibble.]

State CEOs of Guide Dogs Australia—Jock Beveridge (Queensland), Dale Cleaver (New South Wales/Australian Capital Territory), Nicky Long (Victoria), and Aaron Chia (South Australia/Northern Territory)— gathered together this week with Guide Dogs Australia Executive Director Jennifer Gibb at the Guide Dogs Queensland headquarters. The CEO group meet regularly, with the aim to strengthen collaboration across the States and refine their strategies for supporting the community. During this productive session, they discussed several exciting initiatives and upcoming partnerships that we’re thrilled to announce soon. The ability to exchange experiences and align on national efforts ensures that Guide Dogs Australia continues to provide exceptional service and support to all Australians with low vision or blindness. [Image Description: From left to right, Jennifer Gibb, Jock Beveridge, Dale Cleaver, Nicky Long and Aaron Chia stand side by side in front of a wall that showcases a Guide Dogs Client Services banner]. #GuideDogsAustralia #GuideDogsQueensland #GuideDogsNSWACT #GuideDogsVictoria #GuideDogsSANT

We don't stop supporting our clients the day a dog is placed we provide support in many areas throughout a dog's career including advocacy. Advocating for our clients manifests in a multitude of ways, recently it's been a partnership with 13cabs and Guide Dogs Australia. Travelling in a taxi with an Assistance Dog can be challenging and together with 13 Cabs we are excited to facilitate opportunities for the taxi industry to understand the needs of our clients and establish a best practice. A variety of our clients collaborated in a focus group to share their real-life experiences and feedback with 13 Cabs. Their input is invaluable in creating a best practice that incorporates the needs of the client and their Assistance Dog. We are eager to see and support the changes to help improve the experience for Assistance Dog Clients in taxis moving forward. #assistancedog #assistancedogintraining #advocate #advocacy #guidedogsaustralia #13cabs #travel #taxi #autism #ptsd #mobilitydisability #partnershipsforprogress #partnerships #progress

New job alert! 🐾 ✨ The #Queensland team are on the look out for a #PaidAdvertising Specialist to join their #Marketing team! This full-time hybrid role, based at our Queensland headquarters on Brisbane's Northside. Flexibility, work life balance, meaningful work and puppy cuddles! What else would you need? https://lnkd.in/gTiii32P #PaidAdvertisingRole #NotForProfit #MarketingOpportunities #Hiring #CommunityEngagement Guide Dogs Queensland

Recently, we sat down with our newest #OccupationalTherapist (OT) in #Queensland, Justin, and we couldn't be more thrilled to welcome him to the Guide Dogs family! He is a new member of the Client Services team and brings with him a wealth of knowledge in the occupational therapy space. Some of his previous work experience has been in aged care and hospitals, so we are in good hands! Justin describes the purpose of his work as an OT as enabling people to do the things they need, and want, to do. One of his favourite ways to explain what he does is “a Physio fixes a leg, but an OT helps you to dance again”. Justin has already been working with some of our wonderful Clients, both in Brisbane and up in Townville and Cairns. Just recently he helped a client, Lorraine in Bribie Island, set up a CCTV so that she can read her novel collection and complete puzzles, which are two things she loves doing. In Lorraine’s own words, this new set up “will change her life”. Apart from helping Clients, Justin also loves the community in and around Guide Dogs. “The clients are so appreciative, the team and leadership at Guide Dogs is supportive and I feel proud to be representing such a trusted brand. It’s a great community to be a part of,” says Justin. Justin’s personal loves are coffee and basketball, so if you happen to meet him let him know where a good coffee spot is! [Image description: Justin stands smiling under a large tree. He is wearing a grey shirt with the ‘Guide Dogs’ logo embroidered on the front.]

Our dogs and staff love the opportunity to visit Coles Group stores across the country to extend our sincere thanks for the ongoing financial support. Our iconic donation dogs are generously fed by Coles customers year round, and together with Coles staff fundraising and instore campaigns, this essential support allows Guide Dogs to provide services to Clients with low vision or blindness. #GuideDogsAustralia [Image Description: Guide Dogs Australia Corporate Partnerships Manager, Craig Poxon stands beside two Coles staff members and Mayor of Wyndham, Dr Jennie Barrera within the aisles of Coles Truganina. Two of the Coles staff members are crouched down and leaning toward Ambassador Dog, Lockie. They are all smiling and looking toward the camera.]

We are honoured to announce that Vision 2020 Australia have moved onsite to our historic Guide Dogs Victoria Kew Campus, providing us with the opportunity to work side by side in our fresh collocated spaces. Vision 2020 Australia, the National peak body for the eye health and vision care sector, play an incredibly important role supporting policies and advocacy to empower people with low vision or blindness to live life without limits. With a focus on the elimination of preventable blindness and vision loss, Vision 2020 works to ensure the full participation of people who are blind or have low vision in the community through their advocacy and awareness building work. Aligning perfectly with Guide Dogs Victoria’s mission to support people in living the life of their choosing, the closer collaboration offers additional pathways to creating a safe and independent experience for everyone. To celebrate the move, Vision 2020 Australia CEO Carly Iles and Chairman The Hon. Christopher Pyne joined Guide Dogs Victoria CEO Nicky Long and Board Chair Dr David A Cochrane along with some of our adorable puppies, at our Campus on Wednesday. As we near completion of the ‘Future is in Sight’ project – the world's first fully accessible sensory campus – we are excited to work more closely with Vision 2020 and their dedicated team. [Image Description: From left to right, The Hon. Christopher Pyne holds a yellow Labrador puppy in his arms. Next to him are Vision 2020 Australia CEO Carly Iles, Guide Dogs Victoria CEO Nicky Long, and Board Chair Dr. David Cochrane, who holds a black Labrador puppy in his arms. They are standing in front of a Guide Dogs media wall. There is a Guide Dogs banner to the left and a Vision 2020 Australia banner to the right.] #GuideDogsVictoria #Vision2020Australia

Meet Lucy, a valued Client and staff member at Guide Dogs Victoria. In honour of International Albinism Awareness Day (June 13), we had the privilege of sitting down with Lucy to hear more about her journey and shed light on those living with Albinism. Lucy was born with a rare, genetic condition called Albinism which impacts the body's production of melanin. Melanin plays a crucial role in the development and function of the eyes, as well as determines the pigmentation of the eyes, skin and hair. 'The type of Albinism I was born with, Oculocutaneous Albinism Type 1, stops melanin production completely, meaning my body doesn't produce pigment and I was born legally blind' Lucy shares. In recent years, Lucy has worked with Guide Dogs Victoria to move from regional Victoria to live and work in metropolitan Melbourne, transition from cane to Guide Dog as well as provide Lucy with the skills and tools to live independently in all areas of life. 'I have been working with my occupational therapist, Guide Dog mobility instructor and support coordinator to ensure I adjust well to my new home, community and services' Lucy explains. Navigating life with a disability presents its challenges but Lucy takes pride in her journey with Albinism and blindness. She says, 'the services I receive from Guide Dogs Victoria are so important and provide assurance that I will be supported to live a life without limits.' #GuideDogsAustralia #InternationalAlbinismAwarenessDay #IAAD2024 [Image Description: Lucy crouches next to her Guide Dog, Dottie who is positioned to the left of her. They both sit in front of a painted brick wall, facing the camera.]